The 19-year-old was arguably Nigeria's best performer during a toothless display in which Rabiu Ali twice hit the woodwork as the fancied West Africans struggled to break down Rwanda's disciplined defensive unit.

Faleye, a revelation during the 2016-17 NPFL season for Shooting Stars, was included in Yusuf's squad ahead of some more experienced names, and caught the eye during a vibrant showing against Rwanda.

"He did very well," Yusuf told KweséESPN after the Eagles' stalemate. "He was so tired so I had to rest him as we have to play on our top game, but he's good, he's young, has potential, and I believe he can do much, much better in the next game."

The youngster's most notable contribution was a header in the eighth minute which he sent against the bar after the ball was parried into his path by Rwandan stopper Eric Ndayishimiye.

Beyond that, however, he was Nigeria's key attacking threat, winning a free kick just after the hour mark after the Rwandan backline again resorted to the dark arts to stymie his offensive menace, and again forging an opening soon afterwards when Ndayishimiye could only deflect a teasing cross into Ali's path.

"He needs to be much more focused," Yusuf urged, looking ahead to Nigeria's upcoming showdown with Libya. "I know he's good in one on ones, but [in front of goal] he needs to be more focused to see that he finishes what he started.

"That's the only sign of a little bit of weakness," the coach continued. "He's come with us for the first time, he was not in CHAN qualification, he was not in the WAFU competition, so maybe that's why he wasn't following the rhythm of the team at times.

"Sometimes we tend to forget about things, but he has potential, and playing at this level for the first time, he did well."

Looking ahead to the rest of Nigeria's CHAN campaign, Yusuf will be hoping that, after eschewing many of the NPFL's more celebrated attacking stars, the forwards he has taken to Morocco can repay his faith.

In Faleye, rough edges and all, he may have just the talent to ensure that absent faces such as Kingsley Eduwo and Sikiru Olatunbosun do not weigh heavy as the Nigerians attempt to win a maiden African Nations Championship.